"HELIOS!"

Chibi Usa's scream was piercing as she sat bolt upright in her bed. She let out a petrified cry when she felt something wrapped around her and kicked her way out of the cocoon of bedcovers. She opened her eyes and realized she was back in her bedroom. She sat there trembling for a moment, then burst into tears.

"Chibi Usa!" cried her mother as she hurried into the room, followed closely by Endymion. When she saw the distraught state of her daughter, she sank onto the bed next to her and embraced her comfortingly. "Chibi Usa, what's the matter?"

"H-Helios and I…were under attack!" Chibi Usa sobbed.

"Under attack!" exclaimed Serenity. "How?"

"In my d-dream…Helios visited my dream and we t-talked…" The princess sniffled loudly. "And then we were attacked…"

Endymion sat on the other side of Chibi Usa and looked at his daughter seriously. "Tell us what happened," he said. Chibi Usa told him about how the mirrors had appeared and how the shadows had come after her and Helios. She told him how Helios had instructed her to wake up, how the hands had almost dragged him in, and how she had broken free from the dream. When she had finished, her father looked concerned. "Do you know what happened to Helios after that?"

Chibi Usa shook her head. "The next thing I knew I was here. Helios said he would return to Elysion once I was awake, but…what if he didn't make it? I'm so worried!"

Endymion took her hand and squeezed it. "I know, sweetheart."

"Papa, is there a way to go to Elysion and see if he's okay?" asked Chibi Usa.

Her father hesitated before answering. "Yes, there is."

Chibi Usa jumped up in eagerness. "Then we need to go now! If he's in trouble, we have to help him!"

"I agree," said Endymion, "but, Chibi Usa, you're not going."

"What? But, Papa-"

"He's right," interrupted Serenity. "You're staying here. Your father will go to Elysion to check on Helios and he will tell you what happens when he returns."

"But I can't just sit here not knowing!" argued Chibi Usa.

"You're not going and that's final," said Endymion firmly. He stood up, then looked at his wife. "I'm going to go assemble a team to accompany me. The sooner we find out what's happened, the better."

"Please be careful," said Serenity. Endymion nodded, then left the room.

"It's not fair…" sobbed Chibi Usa. "All I'm allowed to do is wait!" She dropped to the floor and cried. Her mother settled next to her and held her close until her tears dried.

Chibi Usa awoke the next morning feeling as though she hadn't slept at all. She was back in her bed, and to her left her mother lay next to her, still fast asleep where she had stayed to comfort her daughter.

Chibi Usa carefully got out of bed, as not to disturb her mother, then moved to the balcony. Morning was just breaking, and the inhabitants of Crystal Tokyo were beginning to awaken.

I wonder if Papa made it to Elysion already, she thought. What if it's too late? What if Helios is gone, and whatever attacked him is in Elysion? Would Papa be okay? What about Aurora and Eos? Tears filled her eyes, and she shook her head, berating herself. She knew she shouldn't be so negative, but she was worried.

She stood there for a short while, leaning on the railing and watching as people began to come out of their homes to start the morning commute, while the merrily shining sun rose steadily higher. Small, puffy clouds rolled lazily by in the gentle breeze which stirred the crisp morning air, and birds sang cheerfully to their mates.

Before long, Chibi Usa heard her mother stir behind her, but she didn't acknowledge her. Serenity gently rested her hands on her daughter's shoulders as she joined her on the balcony. "Good morning," she said.

"Good morning, Mama," replied Chibi Usa quietly. Her voice was hoarse from crying.

"Did you manage to get some sleep?"

"A little."

Serenity sighed. "Chibi Usa, I know you're worried, but you can't just mope around. You need to think about something else until your father gets back."

"I can't," said Chibi Usa. "I tried to think about other things, but every time I end up back where I started…"

Serenity hugged her. "Well, why don't you and I get some breakfast and then go find something to do?"

Chibi Usa sighed. "Okay," she conceded.

Chibi Usa and Serenity spent the entire day together. The immortal queen was determined to keep her daughter busy, and for the most part she did all right. Chibi Usa enjoyed the quality time with her mother and managed to keep her mind off of Helios to an extent, although thoughts of him lingered in the back of her mind even when she wasn't focused on them.

They started after breakfast by going out and working in the garden. Chibi Usa enjoyed gardening and loved the various colors and scents that surrounded them. The weather was nice, and time passed quicker than she realized at the time. Once they had been out there awhile, pruning, planting, and watering, they ate lunch outside amid the blooms.

After lunch, Serenity brought out art supplies and invited the Sailor Quartet to join them as they painted in the garden. She painted a meadow with a brook running through it and a rainbow of blooms, while Palla-Palla painted a cat and Cere-Cere, a waterfall. Ves-Ves painted a dragon, and Jun-Jun's was an abstract piece. However, Chibi Usa's painting was the most beautiful.

She had painted Elysion from memory, with its breathtaking garden and its high tower. In the garden she had painted a young man who bore a striking resemblance to Helios stroking the mane of a snow white Pegasus. When her mother saw the painting, tears filled her eyes and she embraced her daughter. The two of them cried softly, thinking of Endymion and Helios.

After spending the afternoon in the garden, they went inside to eat supper. When they had finished, Chibi Usa excused herself and retreated to her room. There, she curled up on her bed while her worries bombarded her. She cried softly, praying for some sign that they were all right. After a long while, the lack of sleep from the night before caught up with her, and she drifted off.

Another chapter down! I seem to be having an easier time than I thought with this story (though I'm sure I'll hit a snag at some point...haha) I know this chapter wasn't too eventful, but don't worry! The action should be coming up shortly! I'll probably have chapter 4 up soon, especially if I get a lot of good feedback! Thanks for reading, and I can't wait to hear from you!